Sounding Nervous During Interviews

[ShenanigansMD]

I'm gonna get a ton of troll responses here, but in all seriousness I have some regrets about past interviews. I noticed that in interviews with med students everything was going really good, but faculty at times made me stray into the "danger-nervous zone" w/o me correcting my tone/demeanor immediately. I got the answers I wanted to across and interviewers seemed pleased, but I did stumble a bit at times.

I just wanted anyone else's thoughts on this, or if other interviewees have had similar experiences. I know SDN is full of alpha applicants who always remain calm under fire, but some other SDNer has had to be nervous at times during interviews; if not I'll just crawl back to my cave.

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[thlaxer]

I know SDN is full of alpha applicants who always remain calm under fire, but some other SDNer has had to be nervous at times during interviews; if not I'll just crawl back to my cave.

It's normal to be a bit nervous during interviews. Don't sweat it 🙂.

 

[zipnogg]

I'm gonna get a ton of troll responses here, but in all seriousness I have some regrets about past interviews. I noticed that in interviews with med students everything was going really good, but faculty at times made me stray into the "danger-nervous zone" w/o me correcting my tone/demeanor immediately. I got the answers I wanted to across and interviewers seemed pleased, but I did stumble a bit at times.

I just wanted anyone else's thoughts on this, or if other interviewees have had similar experiences. I know SDN is full of alpha applicants who always remain calm under fire, but some other SDNer has had to be nervous at times during interviews; if not I'll just crawl back to my cave.

I felt pretty bad about most of my interviews, but I've received acceptances at D.O. schools. The interviewers are fully aware that all applicants are nervous to some degree. It's like taking a test; you always wish you'd put a better answer. Don't worry about it. I'm sure you did fine.

 

[Irish Football]

I was very nervous at my recent interview. The way you described your experience was spot on exactly what I experienced at my interview. I felt kind of bad about it afterwards, but since then everyone has been telling me how interviewers know that people are nervous and that it is perfectly normal. You're not alone, even on SDN!

 

[Moosepig]

It might be too late for this but for me, speaking to people that are above me in authority is the best way to increase my comfortability with others who have a say in my fate. Perhaps try doing mock interviews or talking with ornery advisers or professors or something.

But at the end of the day it might just all be anxious thought. Like someone else said its real easy to think about and think, "man... I really stumbled there," when it wasn't that bad really. Just be confident going into your next interview. Fearing messing up will cause you to do exactly that.

 

[MedPR]

I'm gonna get a ton of troll responses here, but in all seriousness I have some regrets about past interviews. I noticed that in interviews with med students everything was going really good, but faculty at times made me stray into the "danger-nervous zone" w/o me correcting my tone/demeanor immediately. I got the answers I wanted to across and interviewers seemed pleased, but I did stumble a bit at times.

I just wanted anyone else's thoughts on this, or if other interviewees have had similar experiences. I know SDN is full of alpha applicants who always remain calm under fire, but some other SDNer has had to be nervous at times during interviews; if not I'll just crawl back to my cave.

Happened to me too. I'll let you know sometime between 10/15 and 10/17.

If I get accepted I'll know on 10/15 or 10/16. On 10/17 I'll assume a rejection.

 

[Black Mamba24]

Add me to the list. I tend to stutter noticeably even in everyday conversation. I would hear myself stutter during interviews, but I didn't let it throw off my train of thought.

 

[911 Turbo]

I try to pretend that the interviewer is Mr. Bean (or a similar character)

 

[Doctor Strange]

I find that having a certain state of mind going into an interview is key to keeping my composure. I go in thinking that it's just another conversation, and that the interviewer is really not out to get me (which, in most cases, is the way it is). Also, this may sound stupid, but I think smiling also helps, because it usually evokes a smile in the interviewer, which somehow puts me at ease.

Weird, but it's worked for me a handful of times already. Good luck!

 

[Barcu]

Don't worry about it. Everyone is nervous. As long as you got your point across coherently and concisely (I would contend that rambling is arguably a bigger problem) then you are ok. Most adcoms expect some stumbling here and there. They know you're nervous. If you have some really bad moments, some self-deprecating humor always helps.

 

[NickNaylor]

I find that having a certain state of mind going into an interview is key to keeping my composure. I go in thinking that it's just another conversation, and that the interviewer is really not out to get me (which, in most cases, is the way it is). Also, this may sound stupid, but I think smiling also helps, because it usually evokes a smile in the interviewer, which somehow puts me at ease.

Weird, but it's worked for me a handful of times already. Good luck!

Yup, this approach is extremely helpful. It's the frame of mind I used and I was very seldom nervous at interviews.

Obviously it doesn't work for everyone, but if you treat interviews as opportunities to talk about yourself and things that are important to you, it can be a bit less unnerving.

(sent from my phone)

 

[Laurlaur]

If I get nervous in an interview, I just keep thinking in my head "I'm the ****!" over and over, and it actually helps boost my confidence immediately 🙂

 

[yuiness]

I was extremely nervous at my first medical school interview (UMich, by the way)-- to the point that I was shivering and my voice was shaky at points. Despite this, I got accepted with the first batch of acceptances (with the midnight video and everything).

 

[Mountaineer12]

I feel you OP. I found myself floundering a few times during interviews to the point that I couldn't remember what the question was. 😛 What helps me a little is to remember that even though you think you sound like a nervous mess, doesn't mean the ADCOMs can tell your a nervous mess. I've had friends tell me they were so nervous for a presentation, but they seemed confident and together from my point of view. It's likely that you're the only one who notices the nervousness.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I was extremely nervous at my first medical school interview (UMich, by the way)-- to the point that I was shivering and my voice was shaky at points. Despite this, I got accepted with the first batch of acceptances (with the midnight video and everything).

No way, at Michigan??? There is hope, everyone.

I'm glad I'm not alone here, and it looks like others have had similar experiences this cycle. It sucks because my first interview is my top choice. I'll find out if I crashed and burned soon enough.

 

[Praefectus]

Start the conversation on a light note. During my first interview, I started out with the MLB playoffs. You're the most nervous during the first 30 seconds of any public speaking situation, so if you're able to get on firm ground you'll be fine.

 

[red7]

No way, at Michigan??? There is hope, everyone.

I'm glad I'm not alone here, and it looks like others have had similar experiences this cycle. It sucks because my first interview is my top choice. I'll find out if I crashed and burned soon enough.

I sing songs in my head before anything big, including interviews - don't know if that will help anyone else but it works for me to ditch the nerves. Sometimes people catch me humming, but it's usually more funny than embarrassing.

 

[dsoz]

I have a fairly rehearsed "tell me about yourself" answer. I have practiced it several times before I even started my interview season. I designed it to get many of the major questions out of the way. I tell about my upbringing, my unique challenges in college (lower grades), what I did since graduation (my first career), why I want to leave a comfortable career and re-enter the student mode to become a physician (and a DO schools, why I want to study to be an osteopathic physician).

This helps them to get to know me and it removes my interview jitters because it is so rehearsed, I don't have to think about what it is that I am saying. I can pay attention to how they are acting to my words and get a feel of how the interview is going from the start. I take the initiative to talk about the elephant that is in the room (my age and going back to school). I have a few funny things that I say to see how the interviewer reacts to humor. I can usually get a laugh out of most people so getting the mood right from the start is really important.

Good luck on your other interviews.

dsoz

 

[cortana431]

I've had non-medical school interviews (for scholarships and my current job) and I find it helps a lot to practice basic answers to questions (such as about yourself) and just practice talking about yourself and your achievements. Therefore, on the day of the interview, I answer most of the questions smoothly.

Another thing I do is briefly run through the answer in my head after being asked a question. I usually never answer immediately, but pause and run through the answer first in my head and make sure it's what I want to say.

 

[Amazingmuzmo]

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[coyotelime]

Remember that they're trying to sell themselves to you just as much as you are to them. If you were invited for an interview, you made the cut on paper and they're just trying to see if you would fit well at the school. I know you've heard that a million times though.

It's kind of like a date! Where you have delightful (albeit more serious) conversations to get to know each other better and determine compatibility. Confidence is key.

 

[iforget2]

Just reading this thread makes me nervous about interviews

 

[eefen]

The best part is when you're smiling, but you feel like your mouth is twitching... 🙄

 

[ShenanigansMD]

It's kind of like a date!

Then my good looks will definitely get me in.

Just reading this thread makes me nervous about interviews

I wouldn't worry so much; in hindsight I got thrown off talking about family problems. Just get used to talking to superiors as others have suggested; that's something normal mock interviews won't help you with.